Are jet cards becoming cheaper—and does that make them better value?

Average published rates fell, but that does not establish a like-for-like reduction for your programme. At end-Q3 2026, the overall North American jet-card average was $10,958 per hour, down 3.1% quarter on quarter and 2.7% year on year, but 23.7% above Q4 2019. The figures were published on 5 October 2026. (evaint.com)

There are two important qualifications:

• The sample changed. Private Jet Card Comparisons attributes much of the turboprop average’s fall to OneFlight’s exit from the analysis and the suspension of PlaneSense PC-12 card sales. This is not evidence that every continuing turboprop programme cut its rate. (privatejetcardcomparisons.com)
• Usage rules also changed. The same analysis reports average daily minimums rising 2.2% in Q3, despite lower average hourly pricing. Short-mission buyers should therefore compare minimum billable time as well as the rate. (privatejetcardcomparisons.com)

What can unused hours do to effective cost?

Illustrative desk calculation, not a product quotation: 25 hours at the Q3 light-jet benchmark of $8,333 equals $208,325. If only 20 hours were used and the remaining value became irrecoverable, effective expenditure would be $10,416 per used hour, rounded—25% above the headline rate. The source benchmark already includes federal excise tax; the utilisation and irrecoverability assumptions are hypothetical. (privatejetcardcomparisons.com)

For a jet card vs charter cost review, calculate the cost of the buyer’s expected missions under each agreement. Then stress-test fewer flying hours, more short sectors, peak-date travel and cancellation. Do not assume that expiry, refunds or unused-hour treatment are uniform.